THE ORCHESTRA: A USER'S MANUAL |
|---|
| Introduction | Orchestration | Orchestration | Resources | Historical | Andrew Hugill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philharmonia |
DOUBLE BASS
Section: Strings
Transposing? Yes
Construction
Range
Bowing
Plucking
Left Hand
Mute/Harmonics
Chords
Extended
Player's
Tips and Tricks
Left Hand
Hand positions:
1. Half and 1st position 
2. Octave position
3. Thumb position
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NAME
|
DESCRIPTION
|
NOTATION
|
LISTEN/VIEW
|
COMMENTS
|
|
left
hand only
|
using
only the left hand
|
verbal
instruction
|
left hand only |
|
|
left
hand pizz
|
plucking
with the left hand
|
pizz
(left hand)
|
left hand pizz |
|
|
stopping
the string vibrating
|
damps
the sound
|
damped
|
stopping the string |
Can be done discreetly with a sliding motion |
|
vibrato
|
pitch
undulation created by motion of the wrist and finger
|
not
normally notated, but if extra vibrato is required, indicate molto
vib under note(s)
|
 molto
vib |
Vibrato is inherent to a player's technique and each player executes variable amounts depending upon interpretative intentions. It is possible to execute vibrato on open strings, but this is not normally done unless specifically requested. |
|
non
vibrato
|
no
undulation in pitch
|
non
vib
|
non
vib |
Must be specified. Players will sometimes add tiny amounts of vibrato even to passages marked non vib depending on musical interpretation |
|
glissando
|
a
continuous slide in pitch
|
 |
|
Consider rate of glide, start and end points |
|
portamento
|
a
slide from one pitch to another, usually stopping for moment
either above or below the destination pitch
|
 |
|
Essentially an expressive device which was very popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but has more recently fallen into disuse |
|
harmonic
glissando
|
a
continuous slide while lightly touching string
|
 |
The pitches are distinct and can be controlled to a fair extent. Nevertheless, this is an effect that works best done quite quickly. | |
|
trill
|
a
rapid alteration between two pitches either a tone (major trill)
or a semitone (minor trill) apart
|
 this shows a minor trill followed by a major trill, indicated by accidentals over the note. If these are not given, players will choose trill type based on musical context. The wavy lines indicating duration of trill are also optional. |
trills |
In highly chromatic music, it is a good idea to specify the pitch onto which the trill is made in brackets after the note |
|
fingered tremolo |
a
trill between two notes more than a tone apart.
|
 |
This is an unmeasured tremolo and lasts two beats. A measured tremolo is simply an alteration between the two notes in regular note values and is usually notated as such. |